Seizure Update

Ok, so we've kinda gathered ourselves a bit. We've been going through all the emotions that one would suspect we would go through.. Crying, sadness, anger, uncertainty. But now we are once again finding ourselves completely consumed in faith. After all, at the end of the day, if you don't have faith.... well you have nothing. I know that faith will once again see us through this..

<<<<<>>>>

Last Wednesday, he went in for some shots. One of the shots was prevnar http://www.drugs.com/prevnar.html

My research about Prevnar has shown that that it can cause seizures. Its rare but hey, so is Infantile Spasms. Much of my readings have also shown me it is not advised to give to children who have a history of seizures. 30 hours after receiving this injection, my son, who was one week away from being seizure free for one year started having seizures. And shortly after that the fever started. Saturday night his fever went up to 104.5 and we went for a little visit to our local ER in the middle of the night. ( yes it was me who freaked out and insisted that he go)

So the question is how did this drug make its way into Dawson?? Well, they injected it into him without so much as a word to us about what could happen, what might happen, what its used for, or anything. I have said it before but it bears repeating. I am NOT against immunizations... I am against the way they are done. I am against injecting a two month old baby with a concoction of different live viruses for the sake of big business and even bigger money. Yes, immunizations are a huge business. Don't believe me?? then do your own research.

So while we are at the ER, the ER physician called the DR on call at the clinic where Dawson got his shots from. ( Dawson's regular Pediatrician was not there when he got his shots, and he was not on call that night either.) The Doctor on call told the ER doctor that he doubted very seriously that the Prevnar caused the seizures. Instead he said that he must have picked up some kind of virus in the clinic ( we were at the WELL clinic by the way) and that caused his fever and seizures..... So I'm thinking, here we go with the big cover up. Sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened. Now I know this can be debated 1000 different ways and even I see both sides of the argument, but there is no way anybody can convince me that receiving Prevnar did not make him sick and have seizures again. I just know in my heart that it did.

As a parent, You, I, and us have the right to know what is being put in the bodies of our kids. I have made a promise that he will NEVER be injected Ever again without my knowing exactly what it is and what the potential side effects can be. I get the fact that you can't have every parent running around deciding what shots their kids get and what shots they don't. Immunizations are a good and wonderful thing. But when your kid suffers from a specific disorder, and what you are injecting them with has the potential to make that disorder worse, then we have the right to know!!

<<<<>>>>>

Today, Dawson is doing Ok. Yesterday he had no seizures but he woke up this morning and had a cluster of 20 something. The fever is mostly gone but yesterday evening and this evening he has been SUPER fussy. He has not been himself at all the past few days. Our happy little boy is not so happy right now. Hopefully very soon he will get back to his old happy self.

The seizures, so far, have not effected him mentally. He is still doing all the great and wonderful things he has done before. Running, playing, and talking. Yesterday he said another little sentence. " I want bite bite" that is so awesome.

We will talk to his Neuro tomorrow and hopefully get an appointment to see her in the next day or so. Thanks for all the supportive comments. We once again find ourselves searching for comfort and we find that comfort in God, our family, and all our I.S friends. We love you all more than you can ever know.

Jeff and Allison

Heavy Hearts

It is with a heavy heart that I inform everyone that the one year seizure free party is canceled. It has only been 356 without a seizure, now we start over. The seizures have returned. They began Thursday night, with what looked like hiccups. He had fallen asleep on the couch and woken up, so I took him back to bed and was laying with him when it began. At first I thought maybe he was straining for a bm, but it continued and was rhythmic. I panicked, turned on the light and shouted for Jeff. He came in and we watched. "Its just hiccups", Jeff said. I agreed it looked like hiccups, just without the noise. So we told ourselves that is what it was. I told my dad the next day to watch him, just because I was paranoid....what if. He had a rough day, really fussy, but no "hiccups". Last night he had a fever and was really restless during sleep. He woke around 1:45 and the "hiccups" began again. Not too many, but I woke Jeff anyway, which I am not sure if he even really woke up. "Don't worry, its just hiccups", okay I tell myself but if it happens again, thats it, Im calling the Dr. Jeff wakes me around 5:30, "Ali, its not hiccups, he is having seizures." My heart drops... I knew it, we didn't want to believe it, but I knew it. We are just a week away from one year and this happens. Jeff is convinced it has something to do with the shots he received Wednesday afternoon. Shots, seizures, fever...not a coincidence. Me, I don't know. We have spoken to the Neuro this morning and we are doubling the dose of Topamax and she wants to call in Klonopin for him next week. We are also to call the office and make an appointment for next week and bring with us a copy of his immunization records. So, here we go again on this seizure roller coaster. He is still doing great, in spite of the return. No difference so far. He actually said his first sentence yesterday at my mom and dad's house. He had fallen down or something and said, "I want my momma!" He is such a momma's boy right now, I can't say that I mind.

So once again, we ask for your prayers. We don't understand why the seizures have returned, but have already handed it over to the Lord and trust in Him.

I hate to post this, it somehow makes it more true when you start telling people. We appreciate everyone's support and prayers. We love you all.

Allison & Jeff

PICS

Just some pics of recent stuff... enjoy

Trucking along

The past few weeks we have been absolutely busy as bee just enjoying life. The weather, other than today's storms, has been just fantastic and it has allowed us to get outdoors to take care of some much needed things. The grass is growing like crazy and its been very time consuming trying to keep 7 acres mowed. The garden has been planted and with the help of Dad, we are growing corn, okra, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, sunflowers, watermelon, and cantaloupe.
The garden is also time consuming but I LOVE IT and I enjoy being out there watching stuff we planted grow. On top of these things, Allison and I just recently spent the entire day planting flower beds in front of the house.

We went and bought the kids on of those John Deer Gator ride on things ( pics to come) to help keep them engaged while outdoors. Madison loves it and Dawson hates it ( go figure) The first time they rode in it Madison was driving and Dawson was in his seat beside her. She took off and he kinda slipped out of the side and she ran over him. I can't imaging why he doesnt like riding in that thing anymome.... hmmmm

Dawson is doing just so awesome. He continues to escape any side effects of having Infantile Spasms. He is just a normal, happy, healthy kid with no seizures. God certainly has been so good to us!!! I find myself thanking him multiple times daily for healing Dawson. How do you say thanks for something like that??

Katelin continues to do really good with her diabetes. She is busy playing softball this year and I am just so proud of how well she is playing. I find myself really looking forward to her games.

So once again I apologize for not posting for so long. We have been just been so busy these days. At the end of the day exhaustion sets in and that's all she wrote for us.

We are really looking forward to Dawson's one year seizure free party at the end of this month. We cant wait to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

I know there are many people who come across this blog,and I also know there are many of our friends and family who read this as well. So this is your open invitation to attend. We want as many people who lifted Dawson up in prayer during that time to come and attend. Right now we are kinda leaving it as a day long party. A sort of " come when you can and leave when you have to " event, with the food being focused around lunch time. We wont be sending out formal invitations, as there are literally hundreds of people who we would want to send them to,and that's just not possible to do. We would love to have an idea of how many people to expect, so if you are able to come Saturday May 30th please Email us and let us know you are attending. You may call or text as well if you already have our cell phone numbers. We hope you will be able to come and celebrate this miracle with us.

We love all of you so much and we hope to see you at the end of the month!!

Jeff and Allison

Time for a change

>>>> Quotes from a 4 year old>>>>

We are getting in the car and Ashlyn ( my 10 year old) is helping buckle Madison in her car seat. Ashlyn accidentally hits Madison's elbow with the buckle and she says....

" SEE!!! this is why I want Humans to buckle me!!!! "

You just never know what that girl is going to say...

So the big thing this week is communication from Dawson. He has been, and continues to talk really well. He can say more words now than I can count ( which is over 70) but we broke another barrier this week with him.
Two times this week he had a dirty diaper and came to us and did the sign language for
" CHANGE" This kid still continues to amaze us. He's figured out that sitting around in dirty diapers stinks ( no pun intended) and used his communication skills to do something about it.

Go Dawson go!!

Other than that he has been busy as usual tormenting his sister. Pulling hair, pinching, and teasing her with stuff he has but has no intention on letting her have..... sigh Aint life grand?!?!?!?!?!

We hope and pray everybody has a safe and wonderful weekend.

Our love goes out to each of you

Jeff and Allison

Easter pics

We had a great one and we hope you did too!! Thank you Jesus for what you did for us. Enjoy the pics

Shots and Haircuts

It seems the warmer the weather gets... the busier we get!! Henceforth explaining the time between posts. At the end of the day it seems there is either no time left or energy left to share. I apologize and hope to do better.

Today was a busy day for Daswon. He got some shots today and we topped off the day with a nice haircut. Not just a trim, but a true haircut. I'm lovin the new look.

We have been slowly trying to get Dawson caught up on his shots. If you remember, we stopped all immunizations when he was diagnosed at two months. So now we , along with his doctors, have come up with a new immunization schedule that will allow him to get his shots in increments instead of all at once. If all goes well, he will be all caught up by Kindergarten. As of today he is caught up to 6 months.

We are gearing up for a big celebration soon. Today marks 313 days seizure free!!! Praise GOD!!!! so at the one year mark we are going to have a party and celebrate one year seizure free. So on May 30th we will be celebrating ,and to all our friends and family, this is your early heads up and we hope you will be able to attend this most joyous occasion as we celebrate the miracle of a healed child.

Other than that, he has been busy just being a normal one year old. This week has been another blossoming week verbally. Lots of words now and he can also name and make the sounds of a few animals. ( the pig is our favorite )

We have lots of pics to post so check back soon and hopefully we will have those up for you guys.

Thank you and we love you

Jeff and Allison